Malacomorpha multipunctata, Conle & Hennemann & Perez-Gelabert, 2008

Conle, Oskar V., Hennemann, Frank H. & Perez-Gelabert, Daniel E., 2008, Studies on neotropical Phasmatodea II: Revision of the genus Malacomorpha Rehn, 1906, with the descriptions of seven new species (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae: Pseudophasmatinae), Zootaxa 1748 (1), pp. 1-64 : 38-42

Malacomorpha multipunctata n. sp.

( Figs. 49–55 , 88 )

HT, ♂: Dominican Republic, RD-135 ~ 7 km on way to Caseta no. 1, Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco, Independencia Prov., 18°17.711’N 71°34.335’W, 777 m, 3.vii.2003, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro, (day) ( USNM) .

PT, 1 ♀, 4 eggs: Dominican Republic, RD-135 ~ 7 km on way to Caseta no. 1, Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco, Independencia Prov., 18°17.711’N 71°34.335’W, 777 m, 3.vii.2003, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro, (day) ( USNM) .

PT, 3 ♂♂, 1 ♀, 5 eggs: Dominican Republic, RD-153 La Poza de Agua Nueva, El Curro, Sierra Martín García , Azua Prov., 18°18.324’N 70°57.176’W, ~ 800 m, 15–16.vii.2003, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro. (day/night) ( USNM) .

PT, 1 ♀: Dominican Republic, RD-271 4 – 5 km S Puerto Escondido, on trail to Caseta 1, P N Sierra de Bahoruco, Independencia prov., ~ 950 m, 14.vii.2004, D. Perez (d) ( USNM) .

PT, 2 nymphs: Dominican Republic, RD-217 ~ 5 km S Cabral, near road to Polo , Barahona prov., 411 m, 18º11.273’N 71º14.970’W, 9.iv.2004, D. Perez, B. Hierro, R. Bastardo. (d) ( USNM) .

PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀: Dominican Republic, Puerto Escondido , Independencia Prov., 18°19.6’N 71°55’W, 777 m, 24.III.1999, D. E. Perez ( USNM) .

PT, 1 ♀, 13 nymphs: Dominican Republic, 2 km N. Puerto Escondido, Independencia Prov., 18°19.6’N 71°55’W, 777 m, 24.III.1999, D. E. Perez ( USNM) .

PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, several eggs: Dominican Republic, Independencia Prov., Puerto Escondido , 427 m, 12.viii.2006, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro ( USNM) .

PT, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, several eggs: Dominican Republic, Independencia Prov., Puerto Escondido , 18°19.372’N 71°34.014’W, 427 m, 12.viii.2006, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro ( USNM) .

Distribution: Hispaniola, Dominican Republic (Independencia Province; Azua Province & Barahona Province).

Etymology: The name “ multipunctata ” is a combination of the two latin words “ multi ” (= many) and “ punctatus ” (= punctured) and refers to the numerous small, pale spots and speckles found on body and legs of this new species.

Differentiation: Well characterized and differing from all other species of the genus by: the very short, vestigial alae, which are at best as long as mesonotum and project only slightly over the posterior margin of the metanotum, and numerous white spots and speckles of the body and legs of both sexes.

Otherwise very similar to M. spinicollis ( Burmeister, 1838) , but differing by: the slightly shorter legs in comparisson to the body; the very short alae being at best as long as mesonotum, only slightly projecting the posterior margin of metanotum; and different coloration of both sexes.

The eggs are characteristic for their small size, very elongate capsule (> 2x longer than wide) and plain colouration. The eggs are similar to the eggs of Malacomorpha sanchezi n. sp. and Malacomorpha spinicollis ( Burmeister, 1838) . From Malacomorpha sanchezi n. sp. they differ by: the stronger venation of the capsule, the nearly circular micropylar plate and the distinctly shorter median line. From Malacomorpha spinicollis ( Burmeister, 1838) they differ by: the more slender and less bulgy capsule.

Description: ºº ( Figs. 49 & 88 ): Medium sized to large (body length 41.0–60.0 mm), robust with a moderately bulgy abdomen. Very small rudiments of tegmina and small elongate alae, at best as long as metanotum, present. Legs slender and long, distinctly carinated; all carinae covered with minute setae. Antennae long and slender, reaching towards posterior end of abdomen. Body surface minutely tuberculose and rugulose, not shiny except dorsal surface of abdomen; pronotum bearing a few minute and indistinct small granules in the posterior half, mesonotum bearing several more distinct granules and little spines, roughly arranged in four longitudinal rows in the anterior half. Basic colouration of body varying a lot intraspecifically, in general brown to dark brown, overlaid with many cream to whitish speckles, spots and broken longitudinal lines. In some specimens an indistinct, dark longitudinal dorsomedian line runs along the complete dorsal surface of the head and body. Head coloured as the body, but within some specimens showing many longitudinal cream lines. Antennae irregularly annulated, the antennomeres being yellowish drab basally and brown apically. Eyes marbled in black and mid brown. Costal region of small alae brown, anal region translucent. Legs brown to dark-brown overlaid with many small yellow to cream speckles.

Head: Hardly longer than wide, oval in cross-section and slightly flattened dorsally, smooth. Minute rudiments of ocelli present. Eyes roughly circular, projecting hemispherical, their length contained 1.5–1.8x in that of cheek. Antennae long and slender, reaching towards posterior end of abdomen. Scapus almost 1.5x longer than wide, compressed dorsoventrally, roughly rectangular and slightly carinated. Pedicellus hardly longer than wide, distinctly narrower and about 0.7x as long as scapus, but wider than following antennomeres. Third antennomere elongate, almost as long as scapus and pedicellus combined, IV distinctly shorter. Remaining antennomeres increasing in length towards apices of antennae.

Thorax: Oval in cross-section. Prothorax slightly, meso- and metathorax distinctly broadened towards the posterior. Pronotum longer and more slender than head, 1.5x longer than wide, and slightly broadened towards the posterior. Anterolateral angles with a conspicuous, rounded excavation for the defensive glands. Bearing several small tubercles and granules in the posterior half. Transverse median depression indistinct and slightly displaced towards anterior third of segment. Median line slightly impressed. Mesonotum wider and about 1.5x longer than pronotum, 1.4x longer than wide and very distinctly broadening towards the posterior. Bearing several tubercles and spines roughly arranged in two dorsolateral and two lateral longitudinal rows in the anterior half. Metanotum and median segment combined slightly longer and wider than mesonotum. Metanotum and median segment combined hardly 1.5x longer than wide, broadened towards posterior end. Metanotum transverse, 2x wider than long and 0.7x as long as median segment. Slightly impressed median line continued from the mesonotum. Transverse fissure between metanotum and median segment distinct and almost straight. Very small rudiments of tegmina and very small alae present. Alae at best as long as mesonotum, slightly projecting the posterior margin of metanotum, 3–4x longer than wide. Pro-, meso- and metasternum and pro- meso- and metaepisternum simple and gently rugulose.

Abdomen: 1.6–1.8x longer than head and complete thorax combined, moderately bulgy and gradually tapered towards the apex. Surface smooth and partly shiny. Median segment slightly longer than metanotum, slightly wider than long, transverse. Tergites parallel-sided. II–VII the widest and longest, VIII–X the most slender and VIII & IX the shortest. II–VII rectangular to transverse 1–1.5x wider than long, VIII–IX 1.5–1.8x wider than long. Tergites I–IX each with a minute faint posteromedian tubercle or hump. Sternites II–VI simple and smooth, except VII bearing a small black praeopercular organ. Anal segment constricted towards apex, slightly narrower than IX, about as wide as long, with an indistinct longitudinal median carina. Lateral margins with a faint concave excavation near the bases of the cerci. Supraanal plate very small with angulate apex not visible. Subgenital plate boat-shaped, with faint ventromedian longitudinal impression, reaching towards the posterior margin of anal segment, minutely setose and apex pointed. Cerci small, short, posteriorly constricted and pointed, slightly broadened at the base; finely bristled.

Legs: Slender and long, distinctly carinated, unarmed and with all carinae minutely bristled. Profemora 2x longer than mesothorax, metafemora reaching towards the anterior third of abdominal tergite VI, hind legs distinctly projecting over apex of abdomen. Profemora very indistinctly compressed and curved basally. Basitarsus 2.5–3.0x longer than second tarsomere.

ďď ( Figs. 50 & 88 ): Similar to ♀♀, but smaller and much more slender (body length 30.2–37.7 mm), abdominal segments II–VII parallel-sided.

Head: Generally as in ♀♀.

Thorax: As in ♀♀, but pro-, meso- and metathorax less distinctly broadened towards the posterior. Pronotum parallel-sided. Metanotum 1.5 x wider than long. Mesosternum bearing a longitudinal carina.

Abdomen: Sub-cylindrical in cross section, about 1.6–1.8x longer than head and thorax combined. Surface and granulation as in ♀♀. Tergites II–VII parallel-sided, VIII and IX broadening towards the posterior and broader than previous. II–VII are the longest and narrowest, 1.2–1.4x longer than wide, VIII 2.0x wider than long, IX the is shortest, 2.0x wider than long. Anal segment broader than previous tergites, about 1.5x wider than long. Posterior margin rounded, swollen and laterally expanded, with a small median indentation. Sternites II–VII simple and smooth. Cerci as in ♀♀. Poculum small and rather flat, slightly spoon-like, reaching the posterior margin of tergite IX. Posterior margin rounded, with a small triangular incision medially. Vomer longer than wide, parallel-sided basally, with apex broadly rounded; outer margin swollen.

Legs: As in ♀♀.

Eggs ( Figs. 54–55 ): Rather small and conspicuously elongate for the genus. Capsule barrel-shaped, 2.0– 2.2x longer than wide, almost circular in cross-section. Polar-area with a distinct impression if seen in lateral aspect. Anterior margin of capsule unarmed. Surface of capsule minutely granulose and overlaid by irregular, raised net-like structures and ridges. Two very shallow and irregular dorsal longitudinal bulges reach from the anterior end of the micropylar plate to the anterior margin of the capsule. Micropylar plate small, almost circular and about 1/5 the length of capsule; surface smooth and flat. Micropylar cup small, elongate and positioned at posterior margin of micropylar plate. Median line short and hardly visible. Operculum oval, slightly convex and with a small, blunt hump in the centre; otherwise sculptured like capsule but sculpturing less distinct. General colouration plain yellowish pale brown to mid brown or beige. Some eggs with a dark longitudinal median line along the ventral surface. Micropylar plate of the same colour as capsule.

Measurements [mm]: length 2.8–3.2, width 1.6, height 1.4–1.8, length of micropylar plate 0.6–0.7.

Comments: The specimens from Poza de Agua Nueva, Sierra Martin Garcia were collected on the plant Chiococca alba (Rubiaceae) . At Caseta no. 1 phasmids were found at night on the ground, on the outer walls of the house and on the plants Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) and Exostena spp. ( Rubiaceae ).

Figures

FIGURES 49–55. Malacomorpha multipunctata n. sp. 49) ♀ PT (USNM), 50) ♂ HT (USNM), 51) ♂ apex of abdomen in lateral view, 52) ♂ vomer, 53) ♀ apex of abdomen in lateral view, 54) egg in dorsal view, 55) egg in lateral view.

FIGURE 86–90. 86. Malacomorpha jamaicana (Redtenbacher, 1906) couple; 87. Malacomorpha macaya n. sp. several couples; 88. Malacomorpha multipunctata n. sp. couple; 89. Malacomorpha obscura n. sp. couple; 90. Malacomorpha sanchezi n. sp. couple.